Joshua 6:25
And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father's household, and all that she had; and she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day; because she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.
Original Language Analysis
וְֽאֶת
H853
וְֽאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
1 of 28
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַ֠זּוֹנָה
the harlot
H2181
הַ֠זּוֹנָה
the harlot
Strong's:
H2181
Word #:
3 of 28
to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); figuratively, to commit idolatry (
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 28
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בֵּ֨ית
household
H1004
בֵּ֨ית
household
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
5 of 28
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
אָבִ֤יהָ
and her father's
H1
אָבִ֤יהָ
and her father's
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
6 of 28
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 28
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
8 of 28
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
9 of 28
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הֶֽחֱיָ֣ה
alive
H2421
הֶֽחֱיָ֣ה
alive
Strong's:
H2421
Word #:
11 of 28
to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
וַתֵּ֙שֶׁב֙
and all that she had and she dwelleth
H3427
וַתֵּ֙שֶׁב֙
and all that she had and she dwelleth
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
13 of 28
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
בְּקֶ֣רֶב
in
H7130
בְּקֶ֣רֶב
in
Strong's:
H7130
Word #:
14 of 28
properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
15 of 28
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
עַ֖ד
H5704
עַ֖ד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
16 of 28
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
הַיּ֣וֹם
even unto this day
H3117
הַיּ֣וֹם
even unto this day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
17 of 28
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַזֶּ֑ה
H2088
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
19 of 28
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
21 of 28
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַמַּלְאָכִ֔ים
the messengers
H4397
הַמַּלְאָכִ֔ים
the messengers
Strong's:
H4397
Word #:
22 of 28
a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
23 of 28
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
שָׁלַ֥ח
sent
H7971
שָׁלַ֥ח
sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
24 of 28
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
לְרַגֵּ֥ל
to spy out
H7270
לְרַגֵּ֥ל
to spy out
Strong's:
H7270
Word #:
26 of 28
to walk along; but only in specifically, applications, to reconnoiter, to be a tale-bearer (i.e., slander); to lead about
Cross References
Hebrews 11:31By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.Matthew 1:5And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;James 2:25Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?Joshua 2:6But she had brought them up to the roof of the house, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof.Acts 2:21And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.Joshua 4:9And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests which bare the ark of the covenant stood: and they are there unto this day.
Historical Context
Rahab's integration into Israel was extraordinary in the ancient Near East, where conquered peoples were typically enslaved or expelled. Her marriage to Salmon (Ruth 4:20-21; 1 Chronicles 2:11) suggests her high standing. Jewish tradition holds she married Joshua himself, though Scripture indicates Salmon. Her story occurred circa 1406 BC during the conquest's opening phase.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Rahab's inclusion in Christ's genealogy encourage those burdened by past sins or shameful backgrounds?
- What does her permanent dwelling 'in Israel' teach about the church's call to embrace and integrate converted outsiders?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive—The verb chayah (חָיָה, 'to preserve alive') echoes God's preservation of Noah (Genesis 7:3) and Joseph's family (Genesis 45:7). Rahab's salvation was comprehensive: herself, her household, and possessions. She dwelleth in Israel even unto this day—This editorial note confirms the account's early composition and Rahab's permanent integration into Israel.
Matthew's genealogy places Rahab as ancestress of David and Christ (Matthew 1:5), demonstrating how God's redemptive plan embraces repentant sinners regardless of ethnic or moral background. She married Salmon, a Judahite prince, picturing the church as Gentile bride grafted into Israel's olive tree (Romans 11:17-24). Her scarlet cord (Joshua 2:18) becomes a beautiful type of Christ's blood securing salvation.